Did I break my foot or sprain it?

Another way to tell the difference between a broken foot and sprained foot is the sound the body makes when the injury occurs. If you have a sprain, you're more likely to hear a popping sound. If you have a fracture, then you're more likely to hear a cracking sound.

Can you break a foot and still walk on it?

Typically you can walk on a broken foot, however, doing so will aggravate the situation. It's best to give your foot a rest, and keep weight off it, so that bones can take the time they need to heal. It is always best to get an injury like a fracture checked out to ensure proper treatment.

Can you wiggle your toes if your foot is broken?

Can you move a broken toe? “If you can still move it then it's not broken.” – False. This is another harmful old wives' tale. Although it may be possible to move and walk on your broken toe, you should avoid doing so as this can lead to even greater damage and prolonged healing time.

How do I know if my foot injury is serious?

Can you still walk on a sprained foot?

“Some sprains just feel twisted or tweaked, and while they are a little swollen and tender, you can still walk. But ankle sprains can also be fairly severe, with lots of swelling and bruising, along with severe pain when any weight is placed on them.”

How To Tell If My Foot or Ankle Injury is BAD! [Sprained or BROKEN?]

Should I go to the hospital for a sprained foot?

Go to urgent care if your pain level and swelling is significant and you have difficulty walking, to the point that you need assistance, due to the pain. Go to the emergency room if your foot is bruised, deformed, or you are unable to walk at all. You may have a fracture, broken bone or serious ligament damage.

How can you tell a sprain from a fracture?

A sprain may occur silently, or in severe cases there may be a popping sound. With a fracture, you might hear a crack. Is your ankle misshapen? While swelling is a symptom of both injuries, if your ankle looks clearly “off,” it's most likely because a bone is broken.

Is it a sprain or a break?

If you can walk with soreness, it is unlikely that it is broken. Is there significant swelling? If the injured area experiences immediate and severe swelling, that could be a sign of a broken bone or fracture. However, if the swelling is mild and develops gradually, it is likely a sprain or strain.

How do you check for a broken foot?

Does a sprained foot hurt to touch?

Main symptoms

Most people with foot sprains will experience pain in the foot as well as tenderness when pushing on the foot. The location of the pain and tenderness may vary depending on the specific ligament that is injured.

What does a sprained foot feel like?

Pain and tenderness near the arch of the foot. This can be felt on the bottom, top, or sides of the foot. Bruising and swelling of the foot. Pain when walking or during activity.

How do I know if I have a hairline fracture in my foot?

MRI: The best imaging test for determining hairline fractures is an MRI. This test uses magnets and radio waves to provide images of your bones. An MRI will determine a fracture before an X-ray can. It'll do a better job of determining the type of fracture as well.

Can your foot be broken without swelling?

Broken bones in the foot cause pain and swelling. Usually (but not always) the pain is so bad, you are not able to walk. Broken bones in the toes cause less pain, and you may be able to walk with a broken toe. Bruising of the foot with a broken bone is also common.

Does a broken foot always bruise?

Does a broken foot always bruise? A person may break a bone within their foot without experiencing any visible bruising. Bruises are the result of blood pooling under the skin. Overuse or injury can lead a bone to break without disturbing blood vessels.

Will walking on a fractured foot make it worse?

When recovering from this injury, it is suggested that you avoid walking excessively, as this can push the broken bone out of proper alignment and cause poor healing and foot deformities. Resting the broken foot can help the recovery process, which may take six to eight weeks.

Can you break your foot without bruising?

Typically the stress fracture causes a tender area along the line of the second or third metatarsal bone. There may be some swelling but there is usually no bruising.

Will a broken foot heal on its own?

Although minor fractures can heal on their own, more serious fractures will require surgery. If you've experienced a fracture in your foot and/or ankle, you'll need to be treated by an orthopaedic surgeon who has knowledge of the intricate workings of the bones, tendons, ligaments and muscles of the foot and ankle.

What hurts worse sprain or break?

Sprains. Sprains can be extremely painful, and are easy to confuse as a break. Many times, they are more painful than a fracture, which has been confirmed by science.

Can you walk on a hairline fracture?

Many people continue their regular day-to-day schedules with a stress fracture because the pain isn't unbearable like it is with other fractures. For instance, a hairline fracture in your foot may cause difficulty walking, but not so much so that it alerts you to see Dr. Scheffel.

Can a sprain be worse than a break?

Sometimes, a sprain can be even more painful than a break. A sprain is caused by trauma that overstretches ligaments and puts stress on a joint. A mild sprain is where the ligaments are stretched but the joint remains stable, while a moderate sprain is where the ligaments are slightly torn, making the joint unstable.

Can you wiggle your toes with a broken ankle?

Most believe that if they can wiggle their toes or move the ankle around that an ankle fracture has not occurred. The reason this is not true is because the nerves and muscles that allow the movement of the ankle have not been affected by the fracture.

When should you get a sprain checked out?

How should I sleep with a sprained foot?

Elevating a sprained ankle reduces the accumulation of fluid in the joint. This can ease swelling, which may also help reduce pain. Try sleeping with the foot and ankle propped up on pillows at a level higher than the heart. When sitting or resting, use pillows or a footrest to keep the foot and ankle elevated.

How do you treat a sprained foot at home?

Try to stay off the injured foot as much as possible, ice it often, apply a static or elastic bandage to decrease swelling, and keep it elevated above the heart to reduce the flow of blood to the injured area.

How painful are hairline fractures?

Hairline fractures can occur from overuse or repetitive activity. They can be hard to notice, but a dull pain often develops over time. Feelings of pain from light to moderate pressure can indicate a hairline fracture. Pain may be reduced using common painkillers, such as paracetamol.